IT WAS the first trip to foreign soil the school had organised – and the children concerned were clearly delighted to be taking part.

There were smiles all round as the party from Headington Secondary School in Oxford – better known as Margaret Road School – posed for the cameraman in the Swiss Alps.

The picture comes from Annette Moore who, as 14-year-old Annette Bushnell, was among the pioneering group. Mrs Moore, who lives at Chalgrove, tells me: “The trip to Switzerland in 1959 was the first one abroad the school had organised.

“We left Oxford by train, took the ferry and then caught another train to Switzerland. We stayed at Wengen, near Interlaken.

“We stayed for a fortnight and went sightseeing. I remember we had a ride in a cable car.”

Among the party was the headmaster, Cyril Eason, the white-haired man in dark glasses just left of centre at the back. His wife can be seen on his right. Their son also joined the group. Mrs Moore also remembers Mrs Hunter, a canteen lady, and two student teachers taking part in the trip.

Mr Eason – known as ‘Sammy’ – became head when the school opened in 1936 and held the reins for 26 years until he retired in Christmas 1962.

He trained at Culham College, near Abingdon, and taught at the Central Boys’ School and East Oxford School before moving to Headington. At his last prize-giving, there was high praise for the way in which he had led the school.

Former pupil Dick Giles recalled how Mr Eason patrolled the school with a cane in his hand.

He recalled: “The only problem with Sammy was that he always had a cigar on the go and that gave him away long before he came into view. However, his success at wheedling out miscreants was still pretty high.”

Any other memories of the trip to Switzerland to share with readers? Write and let me know.